Mortar-board adjustable and foldable stand



Dec. 27, 1927. 1,653,764

P. E. GOODWIN MORTAR BOARD ADJUSTABLE AND FOLDABLE STAND Filed Aug. 5, 1927 below hence, they have not afforded a supp-ortat Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES tenses i PATsNroFFics,

PERCY E. GObDWIN, OF EVANSVILLE,INDIA1 TA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STEEL SCAFFOLD ENG COMPANY, OF EVANFJVILLE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA;

Y MORTAR-BQARD ADJUSTABLE AND FOLDABLE STAND.

Applicationfiled August 3, 1927. Serial No. 210,316.

a most convenient height for the support of a mortar board is at about the waist line.

l-lowever, the two sizes 111 which the ord1- nary mortar board stand has heretofore been made, do not allow for adjustability to heights a few inches above or af ew inches the above-named dimenslons and,

theheight found by the particular artisan to be most comfortable and convenient for his work. i

The object of my invention is to provide an improved mortar board stand of metal, preferably mainly of angle iron bars for the purpose of lightness and strength, which will provide means whereby the effective height of the stand may be changed within a range of several inches above and below the usual eighteen and thirty inch heights which have become more or less standard, thereby enabling the artisan to use a stand of the height which he desires, according to his stature, with adaptability for adjustment up or down within a range of several inches so that he can have the stand at a height which he finds best suited for his work,

My improved stand is of that general type embodying pairs'of crossed legs pivoted together, combined with novel means for adjusting the pairs of legs to vary the height of the parts which connect the legs and are intended to support the mortar board.

I have found that a pair of chains adjustablv connecting the respective pairs of legs and, neferably, attached to the bars to which the legs are secured, constitute a satisfactory. conveniently adjusted, and durable means for this purpose. With an adjustable connection of this character, one end of each chain may be suitably connected to one cross piece and a hook may be provided on the other cross piece for engagement with any link of the chain, in each instance.

Not only does this provide a strong, durable, and easily adjusted connection, but the chains naturally and readily drop down or fold when the legs and their cross pieces are when the stand is folded, so that the chain cannot sway or swing out of position when the stand is folded and is being moved from place to place; hence, the stand may be folded into compact arrangement for cartage or storage.

A practical embodii'nent of the invention is set forth hereinafter, recited in the appended clanns, and shown in the accompany ing drawings, in which: I

Figure l, is a perspective view, showing the stand extended, ready for use;

Fig. 2, is an elevation, the stand being folded; and

Fig. 3, is a detail perspective view showing one of the hooks and an end of a chain. The stand comprises two frames which are substantial duplicates, and two adjustable chains which connect the cross pieces of. the frames in the general region of the ends thereof so that the tensioning effect is equalizcd and twistingor distorsion of the frames under the weight of the mortar board and its contents are prevented; furthermore, there is an improved relationship between the respective chains and the braces for the frames to enable the chains to be confined when the frames are folded. i

The frames each comprise legs 1, preferablyof angle iron for the purposeiof lightness and strength, the lower ends of the legs being provided with feet 2 to form a suitable support for the legs when the stand is in use, these feet being formed by bending up the end of one of the flanges of the legend welding it to the other flange thereof.

A cross piece 3 connects each pair of legs. Preferably, this cross piece is of angle iron to afford the requisiterigidity and strength so that buckling will be prevented.

Metal straps 4 connect one flange of the cross piece 3 to the under flanges of the legs 1. These straps are preferably of flat stock. 7

Connections for the cross piece and the straps are preferably rivets 5 so that the bars are permanently connected together. The pairs of legs 1 of the two frames are pivoted together at 6, such pivots preferably being rivets with interposed washers (not are of a i'nostj conyenient height when eighteeninenes or thirty incheshigh.

Following this practice, my improved stand will preferably be so constructed and proportioinad lillilt lhllltliy be inade in either ofthese sit/es butwith the addedadvantage, notpossessed by the old style of stand, nainely adaptabilityfor adjustment within a range of a few inches abore or below these heights and hereln resides the adaptability of the stand to be varied in height to exactly suit the requirements of the artisan who is using it, whether he be short, of medium height, or

tall. By lettii g ou't the chains or taking thein upand engaging another link of each of theni withits respective hook, the proper adjustinentfniaybe obtained. By disposing the chains in the general regions of the ends of the cross bars 3, there is an equalization of the tension so that any twisting or bendingor 'nneveniiess of the stand is prevented.

Another advantage inhering in this position of the dhains is that henthe stand is folded,

the chains naturally loop or fall between the braces. Preferably, the braces connecting the legsofLone frame to the cross bar thereof are arranged so that theyare inoif-set relation to the hr aces connecting the legs to the cross harof the other frame, whichaflfords a much Wider surface to engage the chains whenithe latter are folded and thus the better retains the chains against displacement when the stand is folded for storage or 'artage.

It will be seen from Fig. 2 that when the stand is folded, there isa substantial aline inent of all of the legs and that the cross bars arealocated side by side with the looped or folded chains depending from them and lying between the braces; consequently, the standoccupies very little space and can be conveniehtlystored or carted or numbers of thestands stacked, it is desired to move them in considerable quantities, thus llllllllllizing the amount of space required.

Wlmt I claim is: e e i 1. In an adjustable and foldable stand, the combination offranics, each frame coniprising a pair of legs, a cross bar, andrueans for bracing the frames, the legs of one frame being pivoted to those of the other frame so that the frames may be folded together, and a pair of independent feldable and adjust able connections attached to the cross bars at points which are located on opposite sides of the central parts of the aforesaid cross bars, said connections being adapted to span the space between the frames when the stand is set up, for the purpose of equalizing the tensioning effect and to prevent twisting or distortion of the frames when the stand is in use. a

2. In an adjustable and foldable stand, the combination of frames, each comprising a pair oflegs and a cross ba1',the legs of one frame being pivoted to those of the other franie so that the frames may be folded together, braces connecting thelcgs and the cross barof each fraine, and independent foldable connections attached to the respective crossbars between thepoints of conned tion ofthelegs and braces thereto and which will be positioned between, and be confined by,,thebraces of the respective frames when the frames are folded together.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature.

PneoY r. eo'onwin. 

